Rolf Harris Stripped Of University Of East London Honorary Degree

03/07/2014 10:21
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Updated
03 July 2014

The Huffington Post UK

Rolf Harris is to be stripped of his honorary degree by the University of East London, following a highly publicised trial which found the entertainer guilty of indecently assault four girls, it has been confirmed.

The disgraced former national treasure, who lives in Bray, Berkshire, was convicted of 12 assaults on the females, one of whom was aged just seven or eight years old.

Another victim was the friend of his daughter, whom he had groomed and molested from the age of 13 until she was 19.

The sex offender even made an educational video in 1985, warning children about child abuse and telling them about "yes touches" and "no touches".

Harris, who also has an honorary degree from Liverpool Hope University, has now been stripped of his doctorate from the University of East London (UEL), student paper The Tab reported. The university bestowed the degree on the star in 2007, in recognition of his contribution to arts and culture.

A statement from UEL read: "The Board of Governors at the UEL has approved a recommendation by the Vice-Chancellor’s Group to withdraw Mr Harris’ honorary award, effective immediately today. The University has communicated this decision to Mr Harris’s legal representatives.

"We would like to extend our sympathies to all those who may have been victims of Mr Harris’ wrongful actions."